Pro football: Matt Simms making an impact with Jets

By J.P. PELZMAN

STAFF WRITER |

The Record

FLORHAM PARK – Matt Simms didn't take one snap in the Jets' surprising 26-20 victory over New Orleans six days ago, just as he hasn't in eight of their nine games this season. But when the Franklin Lakes native walked off the field that day, he felt good about his contribution to the victory.

That's because Simms, a first-year NFL player who has been the Jets' No. 2 quarterback since the end of the preseason, leads the scout-team offense during practice. It's his job to prepare the defense for the quarterback they are about to face. In that case, it was New Orleans superstar Drew Brees, who was picked off twice in the first half and couldn't get his team into the end zone after halftime.

"It's a proud feeling," the former Don Bosco standout told The Record, "when you know you gave the defense a good look and [then] they go out there and stop one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

"That's the main thing for me," he added, "get the defense ready and when they stop good quarterbacks like that, I feel I was a part of that accomplishment as well."

Simms beat out third-year pro Greg McElroy for the No. 3 job during training camp, and then ascended to No. 2 when Mark Sanchez suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Simms has been active for every game, and made a cameo appearance in mop-up duty in a blowout loss at Cincinnati.

He thus far has retained the backup job, holding off veterans Brady Quinn (since released) and current No. 3 David Garrard.

"What I've learned so far in the NFL is that every week is a grind," Simms explained before the Jets dispersed for their bye week. "The biggest thing is to pay attention to the details."

And there are plenty of them. The job of a backup quarterback preparing for a game is a challenging one. Not only must Simms mimic the opposing quarterback in practice to get the Jets' defense ready, he also must be on top of his own team's offensive game plan in case something should happen to starter Geno Smith.

"I've just got to prepare as if I'm the starter every day," Simms said, "and just work even though all my reps are usually getting the defense ready on the scout team. I have to translate what we do as an offense as best as I can while still giving the defense a good look, and at the same time getting myself ready and prepared for that scenario [an injury to Smith] if it does arise."

In June, quarterbacks coach David Lee complimented Simms for his "cannon" of a throwing arm, but said he needed to improve his accuracy. Lee has been very impressed with Simms' progress since then.

"He's shortened his stride and he's really increased his touch," Lee said recently, "and his accuracy has improved phenomenally. … I think the biggest thing is when he went home [after June minicamp], I challenged him with improving his touch [and] improving his accuracy. Of course, he's got a pro NFL quarterback [his father, Phil] sitting there at his house every day. He just worked his tail off and came back and was hitting what he was aiming at and he hasn't missed since.

"He's improved as fast in a short period of time," Lee added, "[as] anybody I can remember in a long time. So, we're pleased with Matt right now. … He's got a lot of charisma. He's got leadership skills. Guys on the team like him."

Pro football: Matt Simms making an impact with Jets

FLORHAM PARK – Matt Simms didn't take one snap in the Jets' surprising 26-20 victory over New Orleans six days ago, just as he hasn't in eight of their nine games this season. But when the Franklin Lakes native walked off the field that day, he felt good about his contribution to the victory.

That's because Simms, a first-year NFL player who has been the Jets' No. 2 quarterback since the end of the preseason, leads the scout-team offense during practice. It's his job to prepare the defense for the quarterback they are about to face. In that case, it was New Orleans superstar Drew Brees, who was picked off twice in the first half and couldn't get his team into the end zone after halftime.

"It's a proud feeling," the former Don Bosco standout told The Record, "when you know you gave the defense a good look and [then] they go out there and stop one of the best quarterbacks in the league.

"That's the main thing for me," he added, "get the defense ready and when they stop good quarterbacks like that, I feel I was a part of that accomplishment as well."

Simms beat out third-year pro Greg McElroy for the No. 3 job during training camp, and then ascended to No. 2 when Mark Sanchez suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Simms has been active for every game, and made a cameo appearance in mop-up duty in a blowout loss at Cincinnati.

He thus far has retained the backup job, holding off veterans Brady Quinn (since released) and current No. 3 David Garrard.

"What I've learned so far in the NFL is that every week is a grind," Simms explained before the Jets dispersed for their bye week. "The biggest thing is to pay attention to the details."

And there are plenty of them. The job of a backup quarterback preparing for a game is a challenging one. Not only must Simms mimic the opposing quarterback in practice to get the Jets' defense ready, he also must be on top of his own team's offensive game plan in case something should happen to starter Geno Smith.

"I've just got to prepare as if I'm the starter every day," Simms said, "and just work even though all my reps are usually getting the defense ready on the scout team. I have to translate what we do as an offense as best as I can while still giving the defense a good look, and at the same time getting myself ready and prepared for that scenario [an injury to Smith] if it does arise."

In June, quarterbacks coach David Lee complimented Simms for his "cannon" of a throwing arm, but said he needed to improve his accuracy. Lee has been very impressed with Simms' progress since then.

"He's shortened his stride and he's really increased his touch," Lee said recently, "and his accuracy has improved phenomenally. … I think the biggest thing is when he went home [after June minicamp], I challenged him with improving his touch [and] improving his accuracy. Of course, he's got a pro NFL quarterback [his father, Phil] sitting there at his house every day. He just worked his tail off and came back and was hitting what he was aiming at and he hasn't missed since.

"He's improved as fast in a short period of time," Lee added, "[as] anybody I can remember in a long time. So, we're pleased with Matt right now. … He's got a lot of charisma. He's got leadership skills. Guys on the team like him."